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Monday, February 14, 2011

The Little Green Monster Appears

Today in Europe we celebrate the feast of two of our patrons, SS Cyril and Methodius, the holy brothers who brought the Gospel to the Slavic peoples, so our readings are proper. However, I will dedicate this post to the first reading of the day outside Europe which continues the cycle from the Book of Genesis. In that wonderful appropriateness which you find with the liturgy the feast in Europe and the reading from Genesis fit together perfectly. In the feast we celebrate the loving union and ministry of two brothers dedicated to preaching the Gospel, in the reading from Genesis we see another pair of brothers, the strained nature of their relationship, and the introduction of murder into the world.

The story of Cain and Abel is well known and so is the jealousy which creates a barrier between the two brothers. That jealousy is nurtured in the heart of one of them who has strayed from God, and the fruit of this jealousy is the brutal murder of an innocent man. When we read the story we see that, for some reason, God does not accept Cain's sacrifice, while he accepts Abel's. We are not told why Cain's was not accepted, but in his reaction we see a side of him which leads us to guess why. He is a man of the land, and so close to nature you would imagine his heart would have been open to the beauty of creation as are so many who work with the soil. However, it seems the inherited weakness from his parents has led him to see drudgery in the earth. Wondering why God did not accept his offering I turned to Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch: in their commentary they point out that there is no mention of "first-fruits" in Cain's offering, while Abel, we are told explicitly, sacrificed the firstlings: the author is making a point here. God doe snot accept Cain's offering because he keeps the first fruits, he seems to keep the best for himself and gives God what was left over. Abel, however, thinks first of God and makes the better offering.

Cain was a cursed man long before he killed his brother: he had forgotten God who was only an afterthought, he put himself first, and so it was easy for him to be offended, and when offended he lashed out and destroyed that which revealed his sin: his holy brother. Then, as did his parents before him, he tries to hide his crime from God.

That passage is a good commentary on modern human life. So many of us put God last and ourselves first and when we judge that God is not as receptive to what we want, we lash out and try to murder that which reveals our unreasonableness. Often, as a priest, I see people living immoral lives who, when corrected, strike out at God, the Church and its ministers. I have listened to people who complain about God not hearing their prayers and yet when you dig deeper discover that they rarely acknowledge him, they only what him when they need something: they come first, God second. This is original sin running rampant in our humanity and we are all guilty of it from time to time. As a priest I must struggle with that temptation every day and remind myself of those words uttered by Archbishop Fulton Sheen: "A priest is not his own" - living that is hard.

Yet, today's feast provides the antidote: two brothers who lived in unity, not only with each other, but with God, and put him first in their lives; and the fruit of that selfless dedication to the Lord is the lively faith of generations of men and women, saints and martyrs, cultures and wisdom, peace and love.

Abel did not die in vain - this first martyr shed his blood in testament to the call to give ourselves completely to God. His sacrifice - that of the firstlings and his own death, foreshadows Christ's own sacrifice, of our Saviour's act of complete surrender to the Father. As you continue to read Genesis we see that Cain goes on to produce a line of people who alienate themselves from God and who bring the world God created to the brink of destruction. In the midst of that the blood of the murdered one calls out for renewal and redemption: that call is answered by the Blood of Jesus Christ.

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Novena to the Holy Family for the Cause of Marriage and Family Life in Ireland

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

we bless and venerate you.

We commend to your care and protection

the cause of marriage and family life.

May the peace which reigned in your home

take possession of all hearts and abide in all families.

Confirm all men and women in the truth

so we may recognise what is good and right

and reject all that hinders life

and the true flourishing of humanity.

Guide the hearts of all citizens

that we may witness to the truth

in forming the laws governing our society.

Bless those who work for the protection

of marriage, family and life.

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

We entrust our hearts and our lives to you.

Amen

Novena To Blessed Paul VI For A Miracle For An Unborn Baby Boy

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the witness of your Servant, Blessed Paul VI, who served you and the Church as Universal Pastor in difficult times.

As a pilgrim among pilgrims he sought to reveal the beauty and joy of the Gospel to the men and women of his time, choosing the way of gentleness and forbearance.

As Shepherd of the flock he sought to proclaim the truth in a time of great confusion in imitation of his patron the Apostle to the Gentiles.

As Servant he proclaimed the Gospel of Life and in doing so bore the cross of suffering and isolation in union with your Crucified Son becoming a Prophet in the midst of the growing culture of death.

As we beseech you to raise your Servant to be numbered among the Saints, may his example of faith, courage and patient endurance inspire us in our daily living of the Gospel and in our witness to Jesus Christ.

May we too be Prophets of life, respecting, protecting and cherishing the gift of life, most especially in its most vulnerable moments.

May we too be your missionaries at this time, seeking to transform the hearts of all men and women through the joy we find in Christ.

Hear our prayers, most Merciful Father, and grant us through the intercession of Blessed Paul the graces we now ask that you may grant a healing of baby Paul.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for him

Prayer For Christians In The Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world, look upon our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who proclaim your Name and live your Gospel in the midst of persecution, strive and martyrdom. Save them, we pray, protect them, and hear our prayer that peace may come to the Land you graced with your presence.

Pro-Life Novena to St Gianna

Saint Gianna,
Wife, Mother, Doctor and exemplary Christian,
intercede with Christ, our Lord of Life
to help us in these times to proclaim the Gospel of Life;
to bring to an end the evil of abortion
and the conversion of those who promote it;
to help and console those women tempted to do it,
and to heal those who have had one.
Watch over Ireland in these critical days.
Amen.

Three Hail Marys.

About Me

Fr John Hogan, OCDS, a Secular Discalced Carmelite priest serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland, is the founder and current Father Director of the Fraternity of St Genesius, an international association of prayer for those in the arts and media. He co-hosts the television series "Forgotten Heritage" on the Eternal Word Television Network.

St Genesius

Fraternity of St Genesius

Become a Missionary From Your Own Home

Assist the Church in her mission of evangelisation to those in the cinema and the arts. As a member of the Fraternity of St Genesius, you can be a missionary through your prayer, uniting yourself with men and women all over the world. In this International Family of Prayer, you can have a part in the New Evangelisation. For more information go to http://www.stgenesius.com/.